Books by Suvania Naidoo
This SpringerBrief focuses on Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) in the three basins in the Witwatersrand, ... more This SpringerBrief focuses on Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) in the three basins in the Witwatersrand, South Africa. It provides a background to AMD and its impactsfrom a social science perspective.The South African government and non-governmental organizations’ response to AMD is assessed, as well the socio-economic and developmental effects of AMD. This volume, which is based on the author’s Master’s dissertation at UNISA, involves interviews with a range of experts in the field from government departments, environmental organisations (activists), the private sector (mining), tourism sector and the agricultural
sector. The book discusses existing policy documents on AMD and provides recommendations in response to the many socio-economic impacts which have not been fully addressed. A literature review on the global context of AMD is provided.
South Africa’s water systems are already severely harmed by climate change, different forms of pollution, and poorly managed sanitation systems. For these reasons, the country is becoming increasingly water-stressed and therefore, water will continue to become much scarcer in the future. As a result of AMD’s continued impact on South Africa’s water systems, as a technical or scientific matter as well as the policy implications for the mining sector, water security and socio-economic sustainability has become a highly contested issue.
Peer-reviewed papers by Suvania Naidoo
This article focuses on the nature of the type of approach used when conducting sensitive researc... more This article focuses on the nature of the type of approach used when conducting sensitive research. This study identified which aspects contribute to intrahousehold food security in Robertsham, a middle-income urban area in Johannesburg. Food security is an extremely sensitive topic that many are not willing to share their views on. This in itself makes a study of this nature difficult for a researcher because of the ethics that need to be taken into account. This study used a qualitative research design and explains the methods, tools and techniques that were used to conduct the study. The difficulties I as the researcher experienced are discussed, the ethical considerations that need to be taken into account as well as the limitations to the study.
For more than a century, the mining sector has played a crucial role in the economic development ... more For more than a century, the mining sector has played a crucial role in the economic development of South Africa. However, it also causes immense harm to the country’s people and environment. Gold and coal mining have serious implications for water management. The problem arises when contaminated water in the form of acid mine drainage (AMD) reaches the river basin systems and affects water usages important for socio-economic development. This article looks at the impacts of AMD on different constituencies in the Witwatersrand Basin for the South African society and on sustainable socio-economic development. It includes different responses by the media, civil society, scientists and Government on AMD, how they interpret AMD and its effects on socioeconomic development.
Conference Presentations by Suvania Naidoo
For more than a century, the mining sector has played a crucial role in the economic development ... more For more than a century, the mining sector has played a crucial role in the economic development of South Africa. However, it also causes immense harm to the country’s people and environment. Gold and coal mining have serious implications for water management. The problem arises when contaminated water in the form of acid mine drainage (AMD) reaches the river basin systems and affects water usages important for socio-economic development. This article looks at the impacts of AMD on different constituencies in the Witwatersrand Basin for the South African society and on sustainable socio-economic development. It includes different responses by the media, civil society, scientists and Government on AMD, how they interpret AMD and its effects on socioeconomic development.
The research hypothesis for this paper is the following: while AMD was initially presented to the... more The research hypothesis for this paper is the following: while AMD was initially presented to the public as a phenomenon that will lead to permanent environmental damage, it is now considered possible to implement various solutions, some of which are already in place, while others are being developed by the private sector in partnership with government. AMD in the gold-mining sector is mainly found in the Witwatersrand area which is also the economic center of South Africa, however, this area is also prone to water scarcity and therefore AMD poses an even more serious threat to the sustainability of this region. Previously there was much despondency surrounding the possible impacts of AMD, currently the emphasis is largely on finding solutions. This article will discuss these various possibilities and the key role-players that are driving the implementation process. The methodology that was followed to conduct this research was a combination of semi-structured interviews with government representatives, civil society activists and researchers/consultants. These responses were supplemented by the use of documents and other publications in the form of a qualitative analysis. The findings will be discussed in this paper.
South Africa is a water scarce country and the extreme droughts (climate change) combined with th... more South Africa is a water scarce country and the extreme droughts (climate change) combined with the mismanagement of water stemming from acid mine drainage, insufficient planning of new dams, and the poor governance of urban water leakages and sanitation, to name a few, all result in water insecurity. These issues will pose adverse socio-economic threats for the people of South Africa. Water is a key element, not only as one of the most basic needs for survival, but also to ensure sustainable livelihoods for providing personal hygiene, food security, for industrial and economic purposes such as electricity generation and agriculture, all crucial for a society’s daily activities. In combination with the intense drought periods, acid mine drainage (AMD) has contributed to affecting South Africa’s water security and in particular agriculture, which is the biggest consumer of water in the country and which is essential for food availability. Most of the AMD water is being treated at present in SA but it is not yet suitable for household purposes. Most of it enters the river systems and is used for irrigation. Evidence is available of agricultural producers complaining about reduced crop yields, infertility and miscarriages by their cattle, or EU inspectors who challenge the quality of the water they use for their products. Rehabilitation of tailing dams, pumping of acidic water accumulated in mine shafts and chemical treatment of the AMD water are costly processes for which the public are now bearing. Most of the mining companies have abandoned their exploited mines and the South African public is not responsible for the impact that the mining industry has had on the water systems. However, the proactive measures that are currently implemented have become an additional cost for the South African public while the Government is obliged to respect their constitutional right to have access to clean water. Water security and specifically AMD in South Africa is mostly studied from a technical point of view, while its socio-economic dimension is under-researched. The potential socio-economic threats include human health implications, water-borne diseases, illnesses caused by water pollution, lack of sufficient water for economic enterprises such as industries, the hospitality sector or electricity generation, agriculture and food security. This paper will determine how secure water in South Africa is, not only in terms of sufficient water supply but also its quality and whether it poses socio-economic threats to the people of SA.
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Books by Suvania Naidoo
sector. The book discusses existing policy documents on AMD and provides recommendations in response to the many socio-economic impacts which have not been fully addressed. A literature review on the global context of AMD is provided.
South Africa’s water systems are already severely harmed by climate change, different forms of pollution, and poorly managed sanitation systems. For these reasons, the country is becoming increasingly water-stressed and therefore, water will continue to become much scarcer in the future. As a result of AMD’s continued impact on South Africa’s water systems, as a technical or scientific matter as well as the policy implications for the mining sector, water security and socio-economic sustainability has become a highly contested issue.
Peer-reviewed papers by Suvania Naidoo
Conference Presentations by Suvania Naidoo
News by Suvania Naidoo
sector. The book discusses existing policy documents on AMD and provides recommendations in response to the many socio-economic impacts which have not been fully addressed. A literature review on the global context of AMD is provided.
South Africa’s water systems are already severely harmed by climate change, different forms of pollution, and poorly managed sanitation systems. For these reasons, the country is becoming increasingly water-stressed and therefore, water will continue to become much scarcer in the future. As a result of AMD’s continued impact on South Africa’s water systems, as a technical or scientific matter as well as the policy implications for the mining sector, water security and socio-economic sustainability has become a highly contested issue.